HPV

Transmission:

HPV is primarily transmitted through

– Vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected individual.
– Close skin-to-skin contact during sexual activities can also spread HPV.
– People with HPV can transmit the infection even when they don’t show any signs or symptoms (asymptomatic transmission).

Symptoms:

Typically, HPV infections remain asymptomatic, with the majority of individuals being unaware of their infection and experiencing no issues.

However, in certain cases, painless growths or lumps may develop around the vagina, penis, or anus, known as genital warts, due to the virus.

If left untreated:

In the majority of cases (about 9 out of 10), HPV infections resolve spontaneously within two years without causing any health issues. However, when the virus persists, it can lead to health problems such as genital warts and cancer (cervical cancer in females).

Genital warts typically manifest as small bumps or a cluster of bumps in the genital region. These warts may vary in size, appearing small or large, and can have a raised or flat appearance, sometimes resembling a cauliflower. Healthcare providers can usually diagnose genital warts by visually examining the genital area.

Citations:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20human%20papillomavirus%20(HPV,or%20anus%20(genital%20warts).

https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm